Proud to be Public
An address to the school assembly by Mrs Ann O’Brien, Fmr Assistant Principal
Education Day is always an opportunity to showcase some of our school’s achievements but today I think it is time to remind ourselves about the important role Public Education has played in making Australia the tolerant democratic society it is today.
Public schools educate almost 70% of Australia’s children and have done so for more than a century. This system has produced High Court Judges, Nobel Prize winners, Prime Ministers, International film stars and Olympians - as well as hundreds and thousands of unheralded successful men and women. We can be justly proud of public education and what it has contributed to our success as a nation.
Public education is based on a principle of inclusiveness. All children are welcome in our gates regardless of cultural background, economic circumstances or abilities. Merewether Public School strongly reflects this.
We have students arriving each day who have struggled to find a pair of shoes that fit or are missing a sandwich for lunch. We have others bounding in the gate relating stories about their skiing trip or latest toy. We have students who need our classrooms for a time to make sense of their often traumatic lives and others who’s thirst for learning is a joy to see; and it is this that makes us so strong and special.
I often watch our boys playing soccer whilst on infant’s playground duty and marvel at the mix of cultures, economic backgrounds and abilities. I see this group of boys playing, sometimes fighting but all sharing a common experience together working in teams cheering their successful goals and sympathising with a mate’s injury.
Lisa Forrest a well known ex Olympic swimmer suggests that it is for this very reason she has chosen public education for her son. She points out that public education “reflects the broader society her son will enter after his school days, and where on a day to day basis his sense of right and wrong will be challenged.” She goes on to say she doesn’t want him to be scared or suspicious of someone who isn’t the same as him.
Public education has always promoted and fostered strong values. Merewether Public school actively encourages “Quality”- high achievement in all areas of learning, “Respect” a concern for ourselves and others and “Responsibility” a duty towards our school and community.
So, as part of our celebration today our assembly will include a play reading from one of our high achieving English extension groups, an entertaining performances from all our Young Starter’s class and a wonderful book week parade by all children in our Infants classes. Several costumes were whipped together by our teachers this morning. Our assembly will conclude with a presentation of achievement awards for recognition of success in a wide range of social and academic areas and two items from our choir, which as you can see is very inclusive as it comprises most of our primary students.
After our assembly concludes you are invited to visit your child’s classroom. You are also encouraged to visit our library where we hope you will purchase a book for our school.
Enjoy your education day at Merewether Public School and as you watch our performances and visit our classrooms I hope, like me you will be
PROUD TO BE PUBLIC